Exhorder

File:Exhorder.jpg

Exhorder was formed in 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. After releasing several demos in the vein of pure thrash metal, they continued this sound with their debut studio album, Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990. They adapted more of a groove metal-oriented sound by their second album, The Law, released in 1992. The band broke up in 1994.

{{Expand section|date=May 2020}}

On May 9, 2008, the band had reunited and had begun writing new material.{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=96651|title=Reunited EXHORDER Working On New Material|publisher=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512104115/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=96651|archive-date=May 12, 2008}} As of that day, the band's official Myspace page contains the reunited group's lineup as well as the headline "writing new material for the return of Exhorder".[http://www.myspace.com/exhordernola MySpace.com – Exhorder – Kenner/Metairie/New Orleans, Louisiana – Metal / Death Metal / Thrash – www.myspace.com/exhordernola] They played their first reunion show on November 14, 2009, at Southport Hall in Jefferson, Louisiana, followed by another less than a month later on December 12 at City Club in Houma, Louisiana, and a show with Crowbar at the Hangar in New Orleans on February 12, 2010. The lineup for all of these shows was the same as that of The Law album.

Drummer Seth Davis was on a clinic tour in 2010 when he was approached by the band. Davis filled in for original drummer Chris Nail, and toured with Exhorder from early 2010 to late 2011, performing classic songs from the band's two albums. On March 22, 2011, bassist Frankie Sparcello died of unknown causes.{{cite news|title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – EXHORDER Bassist Dies|author=Blabbermouth.net |work=Blabbermouth.net|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=155692 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326115857/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=155692 |archive-date=March 26, 2011}} In the interim and in order to fulfill three show dates already booked, the band recruited local bass virtuoso Jorge Caicedo to fill in at the last minute.{{cite web|last1=H|first1=Emily|title=Exhorder Hires Talented Bassist Jorge Caicedo|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=67198|website=metalunderground.com|access-date=November 4, 2016}} The band also played Maryland Deathfest on May 28. They then took a hiatus.

File:Kyle Thomas - Exhorder Party.San Metal Open Air 2022 (cropped).jpg

In November 2017, Exhorder ended their six-year hiatus with a newly formed line-up and signed a worldwide deal with All Independent Service Alliance. They announced a two-night event in Brooklyn, New York, for February 9 and 10, 2018, by performing the entire Slaughter in the Vatican and The Law albums respectively. The band also performed a homecoming show on February 12 in New Orleans. They were also planning summer festival appearances,{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-is-back-new-lineup-shows-announced/|title=EXHORDER Is Back! New Lineup, Shows Announced|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 15, 2017|date=November 15, 2017}} and would consider working on new material if the reunion shows went well.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-reformation-will-be-amazing-says-kyle-thomas/|title=EXHORDER Reformation 'Will Be Amazing,' Says KYLE THOMAS|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=December 30, 2017|date=December 6, 2017}}

The band signed to Nuclear Blast in November 2018 and started work on a new album.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-signs-with-nuclear-blast-records/|title=EXHORDER Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 20, 2018|date=November 20, 2018}}

In May 2019, Exhorder were announced as part of a tour for Kataklysm's "Meditations Over North America" tour in September, along with Krisiun and Hatchet.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kataklysm-to-tour-north-america-with-exhorder-krisiun-and-hatchet/|title=KATAKLYSM To Tour North America With EXHORDER, KRISIUN And HATCHET|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=May 8, 2019}} In July 2019, the band announced their third album, titled Mourn the Southern Skies, which was released on September 20, 2019. The first single, "My Time", was made available for streaming.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-to-release-mourn-the-southern-skies-album-in-september-my-time-single-now-available/|title=EXHORDER To Release 'Mourn The Southern Skies' Album In September; 'My Time' Single Now Available|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=July 12, 2019}} Exhorder supported the album by supporting Overkill on their Wings of War tour in North America.{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/overkill-announces-wings-over-usa-2020-tour-with-exhorder/|title=OVERKILL Announces 'Wings Over USA' 2020 Tour With EXHORDER|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=December 22, 2019|date=December 17, 2019}} The band toured with Overkill again during the spring and summer of 2023.{{cite web | url=https://bravewords.com/news/overkill-confirm-exhorder-and-heathen-as-support-for-scorching-the-earth-european-tour-2023 | title=OVERKILL Confirm EXHORDER and HEATHEN as Support for Scorching the Earth European Tour 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/overkill-announces-july-2023-u-s-tour-with-exhorder-and-heathen | title=OVERKILL Announces July 2023 U.S. Tour with EXHORDER and HEATHEN | date=June 6, 2023 }}

Founding guitarist Vinnie LaBella parted ways with the band in February 2020, leaving vocalist Kyle Thomas as the remaining founding member.{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-parts-ways-with-founding-guitarist-vinnie-labella/|title=EXHORDER Parts Ways With Founding Guitarist VINNIE LABELLA |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 23, 2020|date=February 23, 2020}} Instead of replacing LaBella, Exhorder has since continued on as a four-piece, with Thomas handling rhythm guitar duties.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Founding EXHORDER Guitarist Says He Wrote 95% Of Group's Music, Claims His Former Bandmates Are Still Not Playing Old Songs Correctly |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/founding-exhorder-guitarist-says-he-wrote-95-of-groups-music-claims-his-former-bandmates-are-still-not-playing-old-songs-correctly |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Blabbermouth.net}} On February 14, 2022, guitarist Marzi Montazeri announced that he was quitting the band.{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-marzi-montazeri-quits-exhorder/|title=Guitarist MARZI MONTAZERI Quits EXHORDER|work=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=February 14, 2022|date=February 14, 2022}} He was replaced by Pat O'Brien.{{cite news|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=52543|title=Exhorder - Pat O'Brien joins the band|website=metalstorm.net|accessdate=February 15, 2024|date=February 15, 2024}}

By 2022, Exhorder had been working on new material for their fourth studio album.{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-is-working-on-amazing-new-album/|title=EXHORDER Is Working On 'Amazing' New Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=March 2, 2021|date=February 28, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exhorders-kyle-thomas-weve-been-in-pre-production-for-next-album-for-quite-some-time/|title=EXHORDER's KYLE THOMAS: 'We've Been In Pre-Production' For Next Album 'For Quite Some Time'|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=February 14, 2022|date=December 26, 2021}} The resulting album, Defectum Omnium, was released on March 8, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/exhorder-announces-new-album-defectum-omnium-shares-year-of-the-goat-music-video|title=EXHORDER Announces New Album 'Defectum Omnium', Shares 'Year Of The Goat' Music Video|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=January 12, 2024|access-date=January 12, 2024}}

Exhorder's style of heavy metal is described by Bradley Torreano of AllMusic as "thrash-and-groove."{{Cite web |title=Exhorder Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/exhorder-mn0000163386#biography |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} He explains the band's stylistic signature is "chugging, tightly constructed, syncopated" guitar riffs.{{Cite web |title=Exhorder Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/exhorder-mn0000163386#biography |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}

There has been controversy amongst Pantera's and Exhorder's fans over similarities between both bands' sounds,{{cite web | url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r6976|pure_url=yes}} | title = Slaughter in the Vatican review | work = Allmusic | access-date = October 21, 2005}}{{cite web | url = http://www.blistering.com/news/newsdet.php3?ID=3846 | title = Kyle Thomas Speaks Out on the Pantera/Exhorder 'Feud' | work = Blistering | access-date = November 5, 2005 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081216072315/http://www.blistering.com/news/newsdet.php3?ID=3846 | archive-date = December 16, 2008 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30285 | title = Former EXHORDER Frontman: We 'Lost An Innovator, A Warrior, And A Metal Nicolas Cage' | date=December 12, 2004 | work = Blabbermouth.net | access-date = November 5, 2005}} fueled by the success of Pantera and the obscurity of Exhorder. Some have dubbed Exhorder as "Pantera minus the good songs." AllMusic countered this assessment in their review of Slaughter in the Vatican, where the author expressed the belief that "perhaps a more accurate billing would be to call them Pantera without the major label backing." The author also pointed to the fact that the title of Exhorder's debut, along with the unsubtle album cover, "certainly didn't help [its] cause any."

Exhorder lead vocalist Kyle Thomas has expressed indifference towards the criticism, and has grown weary of seeing Exhorder's name tied to Pantera's. He also stated that he and some members of Pantera were friends (particularly the latter's lead singer Phil Anselmo, who was a fan of Exhorder in their early days), and that he mourns the loss of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Thomas has suggested that while it is possible Pantera may have been influenced by his band, the members of Pantera "work[ed] a ... lot harder than [they] did."{{cite web |title=Interview with Kyle Thomas |author=Dave Larmore |publisher=Midwest Metal Magazine |url=http://midwestmetalmagazine.com/interviewalabamathunder.html |access-date=April 22, 2007 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105013210/http://midwestmetalmagazine.com/interviewalabamathunder.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Exhorder Rockharz 2023 03.jpg|Kyle Thomas

File:Exhorder Rockharz 2023 07.jpg|Jason VieBrooks

File:Exhorder Rockharz 2023 11.jpg|Sasha Horn

File:Exhorder Rockharz 2023 04.jpg|Waldemar Sorychta

Current members

• Kyle Thomas – vocals {{small|(1985–1994, 2008–2011, 2017–present)}}, rhythm guitar {{small|(2022–present)}}
• Jason VieBrooks – bass {{small|(2017–present)}}
• Sasha Horn – drums {{small|(2017–present)}}
• Pat O'Brien – lead guitar {{small|(2022–present)}}

;Touring members

• Waldemar Sorychta – lead guitar {{small|(2022–present; international dates)}}
• Apollo Xydias - lead guitar {{small|(2023–present; international dates)}}
• Ol Drake – lead guitar {{small|(2023)}}

Former members

• Vinnie LaBella – lead guitar {{small|(1985–1994, 2008–2011, 2017–2020)}}, bass {{small|(1989–1991)}}
• Chris Nail – drums {{small|(1985–1994, 2008–2010)}}
• Andy Villafarra – bass {{small|(1985–1989, 2008–2010, 2011)}}
• David Main – rhythm guitar {{small|(1985–1987)}}
• Jay Ceravolo – rhythm guitar {{small|(1987–1994, 2008–2011)}}, bass {{small|(1989–1991)}}
• Frankie Sparcello – bass {{small|(1991–1994, 2010–2011)}}
• Seth Davis – drums {{small|(2010–2011)}}
• Marzi Montazeri – rhythm guitar {{small|(2017–2022)}}, lead guitar {{small|(2020–2022)}}

Timeline

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• Slaughter in the Vatican (1990, Roadrunner Records)
• The Law (1992, Roadrunner Records)
• Mourn the Southern Skies (2019, Nuclear Blast Records)
• Defectum Omnium (2024, Nuclear Blast Records)

• Live Death (1994, Roadrunner Records)

• Get Rude (1986, self-released)
• Slaughter in the Vatican (1987, self-released)

{{Reflist}}

{{commonscat}}

• {{instagram}}
• {{allmusic}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621095723/http://www.nolaunderground.com/ New Orleans Metal Underground]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110910191931/http://www.blackwithsin.com/ Black with Sin: A Tribute to Kyle Thomas]

{{Authority control}}

Category:1985 establishments in Louisiana

Category:American groove metal musical groups

Category:American musical quintets

Category:American thrash metal musical groups

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Louisiana

Category:Musical groups from New Orleans

Category:Musical groups established in 1985